Sonic Series Fan Fiction ❯ A Tale Of Tails ❯ Outbreak ( Chapter 5 )

Legal Stuff:

I don't own any of the characters in this story. They are the properties of their respective owners.

Author's Notes:

Let's see how Tails's master plan works out...

Chapter 5: Outbreak

At the base, Scotty and Knuckles had returned from their search, empty-handed. They hadn't been there for long when Sonic and Metal-2 were seen heading for them. Scotty looked out the window, saw them, and told the others.

Scotty: Hey, it looks like Sonic and Metal are back.

Sally: Did they find Tails?

Scotty: …No, I don't see him.

Sonya: This is terrible!

Sonic and Metal-2 walked in. There was a dull look on their faces, and in their actions. Their voices had no emotion when they spoke.

Knuckles: Any luck?

Metal-2: We found something.

Sally: Really? What?

The robot reached into his leg container, and pulled out several nanyte-loaded syringes. He handed a few to Sonic, and the two approached the others.

Knuckles: Hey...What are you doing with those?

Sonic stabbed one into Knuckles's arm.

Knuckles: Ow! Sonic!! Is this some kind of joke?!!

Sally: What are you doing?!

Metal-2 approached Sally, with a syringe ready. Scotty jumped in between them.

Scotty: Stop this now, and explain yourselves!

Sonic snuck up behind them and injected Sally.

Sally: Aahh-hh! Wha?! Sonic!!

Scotty: What is the meaning of this?!

Sonic reached toward Scotty, but the green hedgehog grabbed Sonic's wrist, stopping him.

Sonic: Don't fight it, Scott.

Scotty: What's wrong with you?!

This distraction lasted long enough for Metal-2 to grab Sonya by the shoulder and inject her.

Sonya: Unh…Scotty!

Scotty looked over and saw the sight.

Scotty: Sonya!!

He ran over to her, catching her as she fell. After several moments, her eyes opened again. Scotty looked into them, but something was wrong. Scotty backed away as everyone slowly approached him.

Scotty: What's going on here?!

Knuckles: Join us…

Dr. Arrow and Billy walked in after hearing the noises. They saw Scotty being backed into a corner.

Dr. Arrow: What's going on? Is this some kind of a game?

Scotty: Doctor, run!!

Dr. Arrow: Excuse me?

Scotty: You have to get out of here!!

The mob of drones all lunged at Scotty, but he jumped over them, causing them to crash into each other. The hedgehog ran to the echidnas, and pulled them toward the door.

Scotty: Something's very wrong with them. We have to get out of here!

The mob had stood up by now, and was slowly approaching them. The echidnas agreed, and ran out the door. When they were down the street, they stopped to rest.

Billy: This is most unusual! What seems to be the cause?

Scotty: I'm not sure. They were all injected with some kind of liquid. After a minute or so, they started acting like zombies!

Dr. Arrow: We have to warn the others. And what about the children?

Scotty: Well, the kids are at Amy's with Bunnie, waiting for some surprise or something. Everyone else is still in there.

Billy: we need a plan.

Back at the base, the drones were searching out more victims. Metal-2 was acting strangely, but the zombie-like minions paid no attention. Inside the mind of the robot, Metal Tails and Metal-2 were beginning to repel the swarms of orbs back to their source. Fires raged everywhere as they neared the top of the center building, where the lights emerged from.

Metal-2: We're almost there! Just a little farther!

Metal Tails: You're going to owe me big time for this!

They landed on top of the building, and poured laser fire into where the orbs were coming from. Metal-2 stepped forward slowly, drawing nearer to their point of origin. On the outside, the robotic body of Metal-2 was acting erratically as it began losing signals from any control source. Again, the mob paid no attention. The robots in his mind made a final push, and his body fell to the ground.

Metal Tails: Take it now!

Metal-2 leapt into the center, regaining control of his body. On the outside, the robot slowly stood up, taking off the headgear it had worn. Metal-2 was about to destroy it, but he realized they might have use in the future. The robot snuck into the lab where Metal Tails's body lay. For some reason, he wanted to fulfill his end of the deal.

Metal-2: Okay. Now, let's see…

Metal-2 connected some wires to Metal Tails's core and himself. In his mind, Metal Tails saw the door open and rushed through it. When that was done, Metal-2 disconnected the wires, and picked up the core.

Metal-2: I hope I'm not about to make a mistake.

He put the core back in the robot's head, and shoved the parts together again. Metal-2 watched as the nanorobots repaired the damage. He wanted to monitor Metal Tails to ensure he didn't cause more trouble, at least not yet. The gold robot activated, damage gone. He stood up.

Metal Tails: I guess we're even now.

Metal-2: You could say that. So what now?

Metal Tails: Hey, I ain't your buddy. We both got what we wanted, and I hate your guts again. But I'm feeling generous, so I'll leave in peace…this time…

The robot made his way to the exit, and flew away. Metal-2 stood there for a moment, watching. He then remembered the zombies, and was about to rush off and fight them, but they passed him at the door, led by Sonic. Deciding on a better plan, Metal-2 hurried off to find Scotty as the mob headed for Tails.

Meanwhile, Metal Tails flew as fast as he could toward Robotnik's base. After a mere two and a half minutes, he was there. The robot entered the base, and came up to Robotnik himself.

Robotnik: I see you have returned. It's about time. Were you able to eliminate the targets?

Metal Tails: Of course I am able. I have merely changed targets.

Robotnik: What?

Metal Tails: Surrender, you overweight pig. Surrender, and I might spare your life.

Robotnik: This is impossible! Not again! I will never surrender!

Metal Tails: Very well. It's your funeral.

Metal Tails armed his blasters, and fired at Robotnik. The scientist was hit, but not badly. He punched the robot, sending it across the room. This gave him time to run to his ship. Robotnik summoned his robotic minions to fight Metal Tails. When the SWATbots arrived, there were quickly cut down, one after another, by Metal Tails.

Metal Tails: Oh, come on, doctor! You can do better than this!

The robot fox flew toward Robotnik, crashing through the windshield of his ship and throwing the scientist to the ground below. Metal Tails knew Robotnik's access codes and passwords, and used them and the ship's computers to take control of the doctor's own robots.

Metal Tails: Lock him up.

Robotnik was dragged into a holding cell, and the door locked behind him. Metal Tails sat in the ship, facing the scientist.

Metal Tails: Now, see what my brother failed to do! Watch as I take over this empire, and redeem it through victory!

He flew off, leaving Robotnik hanging onto the bars.

Robotnik: Hey! You can't do this to me!! I created you, I am your master! Obey me!!

Metal Tails entered the main control room, and began operating the main controls.

Somewhere in New York…

Scotty the Hedgehog was hiding in an alley with Dr. Arrow and Billy. Their conversation was interrupted when they saw Metal-2 coming for them. Thinking he was still under the mysterious control, Scotty activated his sword, and stood in front of his friends.

Scotty: Hold it right there, Metal!

Metal-2 landed a few feet in front of Scotty.

Metal-2: Huh? Oh, I see! Scotty, don't worry! I'm normal.

Scotty: Prove it!

Metal-2: Okay...How?

Scotty: Uh…Show some emotion. Use that chip of yours.

Metal-2: Um…I'm not sure how…

Dr. Arrow: We don't have time for this. Look, he's obviously not one of them. Maybe he can help us.

Scotty: …<sigh> Okay, but I'm keeping my eye on you.

Billy: If we only knew what we were up against…

Metal-2 thought for a moment, and then remembered the device he had. He showed it to Billy.

Billy: Most intriguing…What is it?

Metal-2: I'm not entirely certain. I know it uses nanorobots to override normal mental functions, and that it is malfunctioning now.

Billy: Malfunctioning? What for?

Metal-2: Long story. I believe the others are being controlled by nanorobots as well.

Billy: Then there must be a centralized controller. Nanorobots, as far as I know, can't operate on their own without a source of instructions.

Metal-2: The controller…It must be Tails!

All: WHAT?!

Metal-2: I recall it being him that put the device on my head. I'm not certain where he is now, but I know it's underground somewhere.

Scotty: Well, it's a start. I just can't believe that Tails, of all people…

Metal-2: I know. We have to stop him.

There was a scream from down the street. Everyone ran out of the alley, and looked to see a crowd of people running from another crowd of zombified people. An infected person grabbed a normal one, holding on for several seconds. The normal one changed into an infected one, and joined the crowd.

Billy: Oh dear…It seems they can infect people just by touch now.

Scotty: This is NOT good!

Metal-2: We should get back to the base.

Dr. Arrow: He's right. It's the only safe place.

Scotty: I just hope we don't find any more zombies there. Let's go!

They made their way back to the base, somehow avoiding the zombies. Behind them, a GUN beetle robot watched their every move. On a screen in Robotnik's base, Metal Tails watched them flee.

Metal Tails: I knew it would be worth it to hack into GUN's network. It looks like that virus is spreading. This will work perfectly with my plans. Ha ha ha!

Plans? What plans? Stay tuned!